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Show Campground Hosts j Assist Forest Service, Visitors Friendly campground hosts welcome the vacationing camper at several Forest Service campgrounds in Garfield county. These Forest Service volunteers contribute their services for the summer season to help make the campground experience more rewarding for each camper. Typical of Forest Service camp-; ground hosts are Elvin "Shorty" Post ' and his wife, Ruth, serving at Kings V : Creek campground near Tropic ' ; Reservoir, seven miles north of Utah Highway 12. The retired couple who will celebrate ' 43 years of marriage on August 29 hail from Golden Valley, six miles from Kingman, Arizona. No strangers to - . Kings Creek, they have been enjoying camping there for the past four years. . Post was a long distance trucker for 22 ; years and then worked as .a certified welder for 13 years before retiring. h "Shorty's" sister and her husband ' : : were working as hosts three years ago .' when the program first started. When she was unable to volunteer again because of illness, Shorty and Ruth submitted their application, hoping for a position at Kings Creek. When they learned last year that they had been hired for the season, they began some extensive planning to prepare for an entire summer at Kings Creek. Last year's summer experience taught them a lot, Shorty says, and this year they have their lengthy stay down to a science. This year's planning included a new aluminum boat 'for Shorty's daily fishing excursion and a generator to recharge their trailer battery when the I power supply gets low. i Also new this year is a mesh en- I closure for their dining area for comfortable bug-free meal times. As campground hosts, the Posts provide services to make the camper's stay at Kings Creek a more enjoyable experience. They answer questions about the campgrounds, its rules and regulations, and about the area in general " Although Forest Service regular personnel collect campground fees, the Posts keep change on hand as a service for campers and are available day or night to campers. They keep extra toilet tissue on hand for restroom replenishing and a wide variety of pamphlets on interesting sights to see in Garfield County and nearby Utah areas. Kings Creek campground currently . I . has 34 campsites to accomodate people : ' and has plans to expand the number of ' campsites. The Forest Service will develop a special "group or family" section at Kings Creek to provide for ' the ever increasing call for areas at which to hold family reunions. Shorty makes the rounds of all the campsites twice daily to get to know his ' campers, meet their needs and to keep some accurate records for the Forest ' . Service. '; ' He records the number of campsites i occupied on any given day, the state ; from which the campers come, and the type of camping they are doing; ten-l. ting, motorhome, van, trailer or camper. The information helps Forest Service personnel in charge of designing ; campgrounds to know best which types ; ; of accomodations are most needed. ; f ; ; ' Post also polices the campground and each campsite individually in between , ' maintenance and repair visits by ; , regular full-time Forest Service em- ployees. Kings Creek has the reputation ', of being one of the cleanest, best kept j ; campgrounds in the area and Post takes pride in that reputation. He also takes pride in never having turned a camper away. If the cam-pground is filled to capacity, he will locate overflow campers near ! restrooms in areas large enough for '.. campers or tents but which have no running w&ter until such time as a regular campsite becomes available. , Kings Creek is open June 1 through September 15 each year. There is a two-week limit per campsite and standard fishing regulations for Utah apply. A 10 p.m. curfew is called, but there have been many times when a special musical group is camping at Kings Creek or other special activities that interest campers so that I sometimes the curfew hour is waived so long as campers all agree. I The Posts are supplied with a short f wave radio in case of an an emergency I to contact Forest Service personnel in I charge. They would use the radio also in the event of vandalism or riot or any type of violence. The Posts are happy to report no such problems at Kings Creek campground but both have participated in first aid classes provided by the Forest Service just in case. The Forest Service has provided special signs this year for the campsite of campground hosts as well as a flagpole and American flag. The Forest Service also hopes to prvoide the host site with a sewage dumping tank for the convenience of campground hosts. Shorty is best known for his friendly, helpful nature, and his great fishing ability. He is always found assisting some camper, whether cutting extra wood with his chain saw for lady campers, or providing the latest fishing tip for some man starting out for Tropic Reservoir. The Posts praised the Forest Service volunteer campground host program and felt that they have made wonderful friends and enjoyed exceptional experiences through their participation in it. The Posts are parents of three grown children: Elvin Dale, Kingman, a tanker truck driver; Edwin Michael, a career Navy man with 22 years active duty; and Winnie Lee Kritsberg, Peoria, Illinois. They have eight grandchildren and a great grandson. Both Posts love the out-of-doors and avidly pursue camping and fishing. Following this year's summer-long experience, they will travel to visit each of their children, going first to Portland, next to Missouri and then to Florida. Other campground hosts in Garfield County are Linnie and Marvela Beck, Craig, Colorado who are hosting at Pine Lake; William and Edna Grant, Downey, California, hosting at Whitebridge campground; J. J. and Ruth McFarland, hosting at Panguitch Lake, and Dale and Evelyn Burrus, Red Canyon campground. The Campground Host Program is an extension of the Forest Service Volunteer Program. District Ranger Clair Baldwin, Powell District Dixie National Forest, said he is extremely pleased with the high caliber of husband and wife teams the program has attracted. Most campground hosts are older, retired couples. The program, he said, has expanded mostly by word-of-mouth publicity. Many hosts are members of the "Good Sam" club, a travel organization which has helped to spread the good word. Generally one couple accepts the position for the entire camping season at a particular campground. The Forest Service volunteer program includes a variety of activities other than campground hosting and may attract people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. Volunteers are limited only by their willingness to serve in a capactiy which will benefit a Forest Service activity. A volunteer may work full time or only a few hours or days each week. A volunteer my also contribute a "onetime" service. A volunteer may apply at any Forest Service office in his local area. There are opportunities available in Cooperative Forestry, National Forest Administration, and in National Forest Research. The program offers the volunteer an opportunity to join and become involved with the Forest Service, the agency responsible for promoting conservation and wise use of forest land in the United States. A volunteer may be working with National Forest staff specialists in resource protection and management, cooperative forestry, or research. He may be working at a Visitor Information center, conducting tours or interpretive natural history walks. He may appear in a campfire historical presentation or he may work behind the scenes writing or editing interpretive stories in the library. A variety of possibilities await the Forest Service volunteer. As a volunteer employee, he will enter into a special agreement with the Forest Service and will be covered by the Federal Employee's Compensation Act against injury. Interested individuals may contact their local Forest Service office for an application and are encouraged to indicate on their application any special interest and or special skills. Those who are selected will be given orientation on Forest Service history, objectives, programs and safety, Upon completion of their volunteer service they will be provided with a formal record of their volunteer con-.tribution and work and a Certificate of Appreciation from the U,S. Forest Service. |